March

o ’ V s r e ild u B

March 2013

ice

Building Homes, Strengthening Communities

2012-2013 HBA Board of Directors

President Scott DeLoof First Vice President Charles Glas Associate Vice President Chris Phillips Treasurer Linda Drenth CPA MST Secretary Annie Stetler Immediate Past President Dan Martz CGP Directors Troy Cuvelier Robert DeHaan CGR, CAPS T. Casey Fawley Bill Koopsen Troy McClure CIC, CRM Todd Modderman Rich Rosenberger Jeff Scheffers Seth Virgo

Directors

National Directors Larry Goostrey CAPS, CGA Jim Roberts CGB, GMB, CGP, CAPS Jeff Smith CGP, CGB National Life Directors William Dykhuis CGB, GMB, CGP Ken Klok CAPS, CGB, CGP Bernie Mein National Senior Life Directors David Roberts CGP State Directors Scott DeLoof, William Dykhuis, Ron Ermer, Larry Goostrey, Ken Klok, Matt Lyster, Dan Martz, Bernie Mein, Jim Roberts and Jeff Smith.

Mike Holmes of television’s Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection will return to Kalamazoo for the 2013 Home Expo with two performances on Saturday, March 9.

Kalamazoo Home Expo Packed with Excitement, New Events

Mike Holmes, from the hit shows Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection, will be bringing his message of “making it right” back to Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 9, to the Kalamazoo Home Expo for two performances. Holmes exposes shoddy workmanship by contractors on his television show and fixes the problems to show viewers how to avoid costly mistakes that can affect their life’s biggest investment and family’s safety. Holmes will make two appearances at the Home Expo on Saturday – at 11 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are still available at www.KalamazooHomeExpo.com. In addition to Holmes’ performances on Saturday, the Kalamazoo Home Expo will feature two new events for the 2013 event. Professional football player Greg Jennings will speak on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. about dedication and commitment to your goals to achieve greatness. Jennings played football locally at Kalamazoo Central and Western Michigan University before becoming a sensation with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. The SPCA of Kalamazoo will host “Happy Homes, Happy Pets” event on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be opportunities to learn from pet industry experts about caring for your pets and keeping them healthy and happy.

Page 2 • Home Builders Association

March 2013 • Builders’ Voice

Letter from the Executive Vice President

Home Expo is Bigger, Better than Ever With Mike Holmes, Greg Jennings & More

Spring will arrive for us this month, and boy am I ready for it! February seemed like a scene from the old days of winter when I was a kid. Some of my friends called that period the Ice Age. I just remember a lot of snow and winter seemed to last forever. Even though it has been cold outside, things are heating up at the Home Builders Association, The Home Expo is just around the corner and the staff has been working hard, along with many of our members, to put on another great show for our area. This association is so blessed to have so many caring and involved members. I truly feel honored to serve this membership and to work alongside so many caring and dedicated individuals. The Home Expo will be a blessing for the people of Southwestern Michigan. More than 200 companies have pulled out all the stops to put on a great show this year. From the beautiful garden areas to all the great local companies who are displaying a variety of products and services – Kalamazoo certainly has a right to be proud of the premiere Home Expo in the state! This year we are bringing back Mike Holmes to Kalamazoo. Mike is the star of Holmes on Homes and Holmes Inspection on DIY and he has a new show debuting soon on HGTV: Holmes Makes It Right. The Home Builders Association believes so strongly in the core values Mike Holmes has been preaching about – pulling permits, checking references and researching contractors – since he first went on the air in 2001 and has been a worldwide sensation since then. His call for professionalism in the residential building industry is without a doubt striking a cord with millions of his fans throughout the United States, Canada and with world. That is why we carry on with our mission at the Home Builders Association: “Building Homes, Strengthening Communities.” The HBA is involved with so many activities and organizations in our community in an effort to make the southwestern corner of our great state a better place to live. The Home Expo also has some new features this year that I can’t wait for. NFL football standout Greg Jennings is making an appearance on Friday night to talk to the young people of this community about their commitment to excellence and what Executive Vice President it takes to be great. Greg is a home-grown product having played at Kalamazoo Cen Dale Shugars tral and Western Michigan University before going on to become one of the premiere Senior Vice President Scott McGraw receivers in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. The HBA is proud to partner with Director of Finance Visser to bring Greg to the Home Expo and benefit the Greg Jennings Foundation. Julie Riggs The SPCA is also hosting a “Happy Homes, Happy Pets” event on Thursday, from Director of Special Events 4 to 7 p.m. in the stage area. There will be opportunities to learn from pet industry ex Kristi Thompson Director of Marketing & Social Media perts about caring for your pets and keeping them healthy and happy. Amanda Kuchnicki I’m looking forward to these new events, as well as welcoming Mike Holmes back Director of Dvlpmt. & Member Services to Kalamazoo. Each year, the HBA puts on the Home Expo and it has become truly an Megan Weller event to take pride in. I thank all the people who make this great event happen. I am Interns Stephanie Manta amazed with dedication this organization has to the community. Kim Nunemaker Have a great month and I’ll see you at the Expo!

HBA Staff

Dale

Building Homes, Strengthening Communities

The Builders’ Voice is published monthly by the Home Builders Association, 5700 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Phone (269) 375-4225, fax (269) 375-6493. www. KalamazooHomePage.com. Copyright © 2013 Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for errors, misprints or omissions.

Builders’ Voice • March 2013

Home Builders Association • Page 3

Spike Report

Membership Renewals

The Spike Club is NAHB's recognition and incentive program for individuals working in membership recruitment and retention. A Spike is an individual who has earned at least six credits within a two-year period. Spike credits are earned by recruiting and retaining NAHB and council members.

Company Date Joined Ameriprise Financial..................................................................................... 12/01/2010 Argondelis Builders, LLC.............................................................................. 12/01/1989 Arienne Associates....................................................................................... 12/01/2011 Automation Design + Entertainment............................................................. 10/01/1995 Battle Creek Tile & Mosaic........................................................................... 01/01/2011 Bel-Aire Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc....................................................... 10/01/1967 Blackberry Systems, Inc............................................................................... 02/01/1992 Calhoun Area Career Center........................................................................ 02/01/2011 Canney’s Water Conditioning, Inc................................................................ 11/01/1984 Champion Window Co of Grand Rapids...................................................... 01/01/2012 Culligan Water Solutions of Kalamazoo....................................................... 01/01/2004 DeVries & Onderlinde Builders, Inc.............................................................. 02/01/1990 E. M. Sergeant Company............................................................................. 02/01/1992 Eco-Friendly Contracting LLC...................................................................... 02/01/2011 Everdry Waterproofing.................................................................................. 12/01/2005 Fox Brothers Company................................................................................ 12/01/2000 Grapids Irrigation.......................................................................................... 01/01/2012 Haan Builders, LLC...................................................................................... 02/01/2007 Hanger Plumbing & Heating......................................................................... 01/01/2011 Howe Patio & Windows................................................................................ 02/01/1992 J&J Paint and Glass Company..................................................................... 02/01/1992 Jakes Concrete, Inc...................................................................................... 07/01/1992 KRESA Education for Employment.............................................................. 02/01/1993 Kal-Blue........................................................................................................ 02/01/2012 Kent Home Services..................................................................................... 03/01/1993 Kreis Enderle Hudgins & Borsos, P.C........................................................... 01/01/2011 Lounsbury Excavating, Inc........................................................................... 02/01/1994 Lowes Home Improvement of Portage......................................................... 10/01/2010 Michael R. Blied, Architect............................................................................ 01/01/2011 Michigan Tile & Carpet................................................................................. 12/01/2010 Midwest Gutter Systems, LLC...................................................................... 02/01/2009 Midwest Wall & Ceiling, LLC........................................................................ 01/01/2011 Migala Carpet One....................................................................................... 02/01/1976 Minor Field Agency....................................................................................... 11/01/2009 Mlive Group.................................................................................................. 10/01/1981 Overhead Door Company of Kalamazoo..................................................... 02/01/1963 PMV Custom Finishes.................................................................................. 01/01/2002 Pearse Realty, Inc........................................................................................ 01/05/2010 Pumpkin Patch Market Inc........................................................................... 01/01/2012 RE/MAX Advantage...................................................................................... 12/01/1990 Rapid Response Advertising (Community Quarterly)................................... 01/01/2012 Sackett’s Flooring Solutions......................................................................... 02/01/1997 Secure Start Inspections, Inc....................................................................... 02/01/2011 T. Ridenour Construction.............................................................................. 02/01/1995 Two Men and a Truck................................................................................... 02/01/2007 Walters Plumbing......................................................................................... 01/01/2011 Woodwork Specialties Co............................................................................. 02/01/1992 Yeo & Yeo P.C.............................................................................................. 06/01/2008

How to earn Spikes

1. Individuals earn one new member credit for each new member sponsored. 2. One retention credit is automatically assigned to the sponsor of record for firstyear renewals, if the renewal occurs on or before the anniversary date. Every year after one-half credit is earned, if the renewal form lists the sponsoring member. 3. One-half credit is earned for the recruitment and retention of affiliate members.

Statesman Spike - 500 Credits

Ken Klok: 590

Super Spike - 250 Credits

Bernie Mein: 391.5 David Roberts: 306

Royal Spike - 150 Credits

Bill Dykhuis: 227 Jim Roberts: 171 Seth Virgo: 167.5 George Kibler: 162

Red Spike - 100 Credits

Troy McClure: 140 Annie Stetler: 110.5

Green Spike - 50 Credits

Michael Rhoades: 96 Jerry McCoy: 76.5 Jeff Smith: 74 Bob DeHaan: 67.5 Bob Visser: 67 Jeff Everts: 62.5 Mark Pulver: 57.5 Dave Holzwarth: 55.5 Andy Sims: 54.5

Life Spike - 25 Credits

DJ Burke: 49.5 John Vanderweerd: 47 Kimball Wilson: 43 Craig Wenke 38 Jay Hoffman: 34.5 Joseph Blood: 33 Linda Drenth: 32 Jack Kindig: 31.5 Steve Roberts: 31.5 Scott Hoeksema: 30 Bill Green: 27.5

Membership Report Home Builders Association, as of Dec. 31, 2012 (NAHB Report) Total Membership: 463 (Builders: 118, Associates: 328, Affiliates: 17) Previous Annual Reports: Dec. 31, 2011: 442 Members (115 B, 312 A, 15 Af ) Dec. 31, 2010: 419 Members (121 B, 284 A, 14 Af )



Builder, Building Official Breakfast at HBA

Builders and inspectors gathered at the Home Builders Association office on Tuesday, Feb. 5, for a breakfast and discussion on building issues. Among those in attendance were, from left to right: Rich Modderman, Dave Roberts, Lee Larson, Ed Hellwege and Bob McNutt. The two groups discussed a variety of issues facing the residential building industry and how they could work together to make both builders and inspectors achieve their respective goals for their positions.

Do You Know These Businesses? We need our members to encourage the following businesses to join or re-join the association. Contact Megan Weller if you need any additional information to help you recruit them as a member. Anderson Brothers Steamatic George’s Appliance Corklane Decorating Bath Fitter Goggins Rental DeWolff Painting Blind Design GreenBuild @ Spartan Enterprises Elenbaas Hardwood Borgess Health and Fitness Center Greenleaf Trust Ex-Caliber Painting Boris Realtors Griffin Pest Solutions Expressions by Jan Bronson Athletic Club Henderson Castle Fabulous Floors Carter Lumber Hodgson Lighting and Log Fireplace and Grill Shoppe Castle Coatings, Inc. Howland Floor Covering Furgeson Concrete Corrections Kalamazoo Mortgage Galesburg Hardware Concrete Solutions L & N Carpet Cleaning General Equipment Rental



Student of the Month Andrew Madison, Gull Lake High School Education for Employment Construction Trades Program

Andrew Madison is a junior at Gull Lake High School and has been chosen as the student of the month by the Home Builders Association for February 2013. Andrew is the son of Ken and Char Madison. This is Andrew’s first year in the Construction Trades program. So far he is really enjoying the program and wants to possibly go into the construction field as either a carpenter or a construction manager. Andrew has a great attitude toward work and gives 110% effort at all times. The Construction Trades class has allowed Andrew to learn skills and demands that are involved with being in the construction field. Andrew is also very athletic and physically fit which helps him to accomplish physically demanding tasks that the construction industry demands. Participating in sports, playing soccer, and running track for Gull Lake are extracurricular activities that Andrew enjoys. Andrew is also a member of the National Honor Society. He would like to thank his instructors Mr. Segraves and Mr. Diaz for helping him better understand the construction field and gain the skills he has now. He is hoping to learn much, much more before the end of the school year. After graduation from high school, Andrew plans on either going to Western Michigan University or Ferris State University. His overall dream is to be one of the top construction managers of a big corporation.

HBA’s Advertising Co-op Gives You On-Line Exposure Did you know that if you advertise with an HBA member and include the member‘s HBA logo in your advertisement, you’re are eligible to have three free months of advertising on the new HBA website? Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this great opportunity to market your company and support a HBA member. For details on this promotion please contact Amanda at (269) 375-4225 or [email protected]. * * * “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.” –Laurence Peter



Year-Long, Monthly Marketing Webinar PLUS Live Q&A Series Featuring Kyle Hunt who routinely speaks at local HBAs across the US. He knows our industry. You’ll appreciate his down-to-earth style, and the tools, templates, and resources he will be offering you each and every month!

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STOP competing on price DIFFERENTIATE your services Find & focus on IDEAL clients Follow-up effectively to CLOSE more business Invest in MARKETING that succeeds Market to past clients for REPEAT/REFERRAL work IMPROVE your sales skills Establish STRATEGIC partnerships Use the internet to GENERATE LEADS

Upcoming Dates & Topics Jan. 10, 2013 2:00-2:45pm EDT

Harness the Web: Part 1 Walk away with a 'Website Checklist' that contains all of the content and features you need convert visitors into leads and provide you with clarity and clear direction on improvements you can make.

Feb. 14, 2013 2:00-2:45pm EDT

Harness the Web: Part 2 Confused by the myriad of online marketing tools? Receive practical and proven advice regarding Local Online Listings, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media, and other online marketing tools.

Mar. 14, 2013 2:00-2:45pm EST

You Have to “Date” Before You Get “Married!” Create something free and valuable to offer to your prospects (both online and offline.) Specific examples like a free report, Home Energy Audit, Homeowner Seminar, or a Kitchen Planning Guide.

Apr. 11, 2013 2:00-2:45pm EST

What Almost Everyone Doesn’t Know – and Will Never Understand – About Video Marketing Videos are great for “know, like and trust” with prospects and clients, but how? See examples and learn the process for you so that you can add video to your marketing plan.

May 9, 2013 2:00-2:45pm EST

After the Project is Done ... Here’s What You Do Next We all know the power of staying touch with our previous clients. Receive templates and tools to improve how you stay-in-touch with clients to generate more referrals and gain repeat business!

Jan. 24, 2013 Feb. 28, 2013 Mar. 28, 2013 Apr. 25, 2013 May 23, 2013 2:00-3:00pm EDT

You’ll also have direct access to Kyle during the monthly “Excellence Hour Call” Every month we’ll have a more open and extended Phone call for all members. This is a 1-hour Question & Answer (Q&A) phone call where you can call in and ask your questions directly to Kyle or listen to what other members are asking. This is your opportunity to ask ANY marketing, sales or business related question you have. Great, valuepacked call each month.

Call-In Information To attend the webinars or Q&A sessions simply dial-in, at the date/time listed above:  

Phone Number: 559-726-1300 Participant Code: 524986 Access the webinar’s slides and “screen share” at: http://www.theexcellenceclub.com/slides

Please Note: All of the calls will be recorded in case you can’t attend a “Live” session. Request your own Username & Password to listen to



Tight Credit, Flawed Appraisals and Erratic Supply Chain Hurt Jobs, Housing The budding housing revival driven by pent-up consumer demand still faces a number of obstacles, including tight credit for builders along with a stretched lot and building supply system in many markets that are barely keeping up with demand. The precarious support system to housing could threaten the fragile housing and economic recovery now under way, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). “I talk to many of our builder members who are expressing increasing frustration that they can’t get access to construction loans to develop lots in markets where demand is on the upswing,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “Not only is this keeping workers sidelined, it is frustrating potential home buyers and slowing the recovery.” With the peak spring home building season just weeks away and inventories of new homes at or near record-lows in many markets, builders should be ramping up to meet demand and create new jobs in markets across the nation. “Though some metros are still struggling to recover, conditions in a growing number of markets are improving, and those are the areas where we should be hiring construction crews at a healthy clip,” said Judson. “Unfortunately, new-home production is facing a number of obstacles and failing to bounce back at a more robust rate. Builders can’t obtain financing to construct new homes and developers have not been able to restart the lot production pipeline because of the lack of credit, which is contributing to buildable lot shortages in some markets.” Meanwhile, creditworthy borrowers can’t obtain mortgages, inaccurate appraisals are leading to cancelled home sales, and rising building material prices and spot labor shortages are pushing up costs and slowing completion times. After years of sub-normal household formations brought on by the Great Recession, more and more buyers are now facing a challenging reality as they venture into the housing market. Banks, appraisers and regulators swung the pendulum too far and have failed to return to normal business practices. Signs of produc-

tion bottlenecks are cropping up in some markets. With new-home inventories already at razor thin margins, this is exacerbating a lack of available new homes in many metro areas at a time of growing demand. “With the severe declines in housing over the past years, many building material manufacturers such as drywall producers and lumber firms had to close plants and cut back production dramatically,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Now, with the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index showing that many housing markets are on the mend, the supply chain is starting to strain. Producers are reluctant to expand while credit remains tight and the most recent result has been skyrocketing prices.” Builders have to absorb these added costs by cutting back on other areas, including hiring. Further aggravating the situation is the long lag time for developers and builders to acquire, finance and develop lots, which is also putting a damper on residential construction employment. To get production back on a firmer footing to meet rising demand, spur job growth and move the economy forward, NAHB is urging financial institutions and regulators to

ease tight credit conditions that no longer reflect today’s economic realities. Moreover, policymakers and appraisers also need to confront a flawed appraisal process for home buyers and home builders. NAHB recently unveiled a white paper, A Comprehensive Blueprint for Residential Appraisal Reform, designed to get all stakeholders in this debate to come together and enact reforms in appraisal practices and oversight to ensure that appraisals accurately reflect true market values. “Restoring the flow of credit to home builders with viable projects and fixing the residential appraisal process will not only help to put America back to work, it will strengthen communities across the land and provide badly needed tax revenues that local governments need to fund schools, police and firefighters,” said Judson. * * * “Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains, a pretty violent image there. I think if you’ve got a T-shirt with a bloodstain all over it, maybe laundry isn’t your biggest problem. Maybe you should get rid of the body before you do the wash.” –Jerry Seinfeld


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March 2013 • Builders’ Voice HBA Members

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call Erwin Maier atcargo (269) 342-9800  Up to 323 cu. ft. of space and a maximum height of 76.5” allowing a person 6'3” to stand upright in high roof models. or email at [email protected]  Out front design allowing for spacious cabin, driver comfort and more efficient serviceability of the engine.

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Call Erwin Maier at For more (269) information call Erwin Maier at (269)342-9800 342-9800 Cole Nissan

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NAHB Members Take Another $500 Off Prices in this Ad! Ask about the 5-year, 100,000 mile GM Powertrain Warranty!

Call Ron Morton at (269) 217-9272 [email protected] 6600 S. Westnedge Ave, Portage One Mile South of I-94 www.colecentury.com *All incentives applied (some buyers will not qualify for all incentives). *Rebates applied. Plus tax, title and license. 0% available on most models in lieu of rebates. To qualified buyers. See store for details. Prices subject to incentive updates from GM.



HBA Board Spotlight: Ken Klok, Kenneth J. Klok Builders

Ken Klok has Built Legacy of Service at HBA

If you can remember back to a time when a McDonald’s hamburger cost 15 cents and gas was $1.38 per gallon, then you’ve got a good memory – and probably have a few years of experience under your belt. But, believe it or not, that’s how long it’s been since Ken Klok joined the Home Builders Association. The year was 1981 and Ken Klok had a desire to get more involved in the industry he was making a career in. That was 32 years ago and since then Ken has written the book on involvement in the HBA. From the Spike Club to the Home Expo and from the Fast-Built Project to the board of directors, Ken Klok has dedicated himself to the organization that represents residential home builders at the local, state and national levels. In fact, Ken has been involved with the board at every level of the Home Builders Association – local, state and national. He is a national life director with the National Association of Home Builders and was just named a life director for the Home Builders Association of Michigan. Ken says he derives his commitment and dedication from the credo, “you only get out of life what you put into it.” “The hours spent in service to my customers, to volunteer organizations and to the building construction industry have been priceless and very rewarding experiences,” he said. The list of Ken’s involvement with the HBA is long and extensive. He has served or is currently serving on five committees, as well as sitting on the board. Ken has been on the local board since 1986 with the excep-

tion of a four-year absence in the early 1990s. He served as president twice, in 1990 and again in 1998. Among the involvement Ken has enjoyed most with the HBA, he lists the Fast-Built Project with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and the Veteran’s Ramp-a-thon as some of his favorites. Ken’s wife Kathy has also been involved with some of the HBA projects, helping with food donations and coordinating logistics. Her sloppy joes have been a staple of the FastBuilt Project for many years. Ken has gone on to work on other Habitat projects, including the building of two homes through his church and being house leader for Habitat’s Jimmy Carter Work Project in 2005. In 2002, Ken was recognized by Habitat for Humanity as the state’s Volunteer of the Year. Ken’s involvement in the community has brought many projects to the attention of the association, as well, allowing the HBA and its members to contribute to many worthwhile projects over the years. The Family Shelter for Housing Resources, the Northside Partnership Project of Kalamazoo, the Lakeside Home for Boys, the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission and the Tree of Life School are just a few of the projects and organizations Ken has involved himself with over the years. The Spike Club has been another HBA facet near and dear to Ken’s heart. He as the alltime highest number of Spike points at the local association with 590. The annual membership award at the HBA was named after Ken and is given out to the person recruiting the most new members each year. Ken started in the construction industry in

Ken Klok 1964 through an apprentice program with Wes Graham, a former president and board member of the Kalamazoo HBA. After serving two years in the Army in the mid-1960s, with one stationed in Vietnam, Graham hired Ken upon his return home. In 1972, Ken started his own business remodeling and building custom homes. It became a family affair as sons Steve and Brian have worked for the company over the years. Brian remains an employee for Ken and Steve has since become a partner with J & J Paint & Glass, who are also members of the HBA. Ken and Kathy have been married for 47 years. Their family includes Steve who is married to Pam and they have a son Brendan, and Brian who is married to Laurie and they have two children: Jacob and Alaina. For nearly 50 years, Ken Klok has been involved in this industry and the association to make the community a better place to live.

Member Discounts Available Through NAHB As a NAHB benefit, members have access to discounts and savings opportunities offered by many top companies. All programs, rates, and prices are subject to change without notice. When making contact, the companies request that callers identify themselves as members of the National Association of Home Builders to receive their discounts. For more information about this, please contact Christy Ronaldson at 800-368-5242 x8273 or via e-mail at [email protected].

* * * “Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” –Abraham Lincoln

VIP Night



VIP NIGHT Enjoy a sneak preview of this year’s Home Expo site with hors d’oeuvres catered by Asiago’s Bakery-Deli & Catering and cash bar. Date: March 5th Time: 6:30-8:00PM Location: Home Expo, 665 Mall Drive, Portage Please RSVP on KalamazooHomePage.com or call Kristi at (269) 375-4225.

Pet Adoptions, Pet Seminars, Kid Crafts, Face Painting, And More! @ The Home Expo, 665 Mall Drive, Portage, MI 49002 (At the former Sam’s Club building behind Crossroads Mall) $1 donation at event entrance. Home Expo General Admission ticket also required. Event Sponsors:

Camp Country Critter



2012 ICC 700 Nat’l Green Building Standard Now Available The 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard, (NGBS) recently approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), is now available for purchase through BuilderBooks.com, the publishing arm for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in both print and e-Book formats. A collaborative effort between the International Code Council (ICC) and NAHB, the ICC 700 National Green Building Standard is the only residential green building rating system approved by ANSI as an American National Standard. The NGBS provides practices for the design and construction of all types of green residential buildings, renovations, and land developments. The green aspects of the NGBS include lot design, preparation and development; resource, energy and water efficiency; indoor environmental quality; and operation, maintenance and building owner education. “The 2012 edition incorporates several changes that not only make the standard much easier to use, but also expand the offerings for renovations and remodeling projects, and raise the bar on energy efficiency,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “We have seen phenomenal growth in green building in recent years,

and the new version of the standard will only help to add to this.” Some of the more notable updates include: •The Energy Efficiency chapter has been substantially revised with the new more stringent rating levels based on whole-house energy savings above the 2009 International Energy Efficiency Code. •The remodeling provisions have been incorporated into two new standalone chapters and include options for rating an entire remodeled building or achieving minimum compliance for a remodeled functional area such as a kitchen, bathroom, basement or addition. •The point assignments for water efficiency practices have been reanalyzed to achieve an improved internal consistency with regard to actual water savings. •The durability provisions have been reorganized, expanded and compiled into a single section as part of the Resource Efficiency chapter. The new e-Book format allows readers to download the 2012 ICC 700 National Green Building Standard directly to your computer or iPad, with both options giving you the ability to read offline. The 2012 ICC 700 National Green Build-

ing Standard is available for purchase ($35.95 Retail/$31.95 NAHB Member, ISBN 978086718-697-0) at BuilderBooks.com or by calling 800-223-2665. The e-Book is available at ebooks.builderbooks.com ($24.99 Retail/$20.99 NAHB Member).

New Member Applicants The Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo has received the following applications for new members: Weatherstone Village CD Lawn Maintenance & Supply, LLC Empire Construction Enterprises,LLC Kountry Cabinets Summit Building Services, LLC Energy Solutions of America If you know of any reason these companies should not become members, please give Megan a call at (269) 375-4225.

Welcome New Members ECCU Credit Union KBC Home Improvements LLC Renew Crew of SW Michigan Physical Therapy One

Money saving discounts Superior coverage HBA commitment For more information contact Jerry Whitaker from Whitaker-LaChance Agency at (269) 274-6159



New-Home Sales Surge 15.6 Percent in January Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 15.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 437,000 units in January, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. Amidst this quickened sales pace – the fastest since July of 2008 – the month’s supply of new homes for sale fell to its lowest level in nearly eight years. “The surge in demand for new homes this January is an excellent sign that the housing recovery is gaining steam and helping put more people back to work,” said Rick Judson, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from

Charlotte, N.C. “While we can’t expect to see double-digit sales growth every month, consumers are definitely coming off the fence as prices start to rise, and builders in some cases are having a tough time keeping up. Challenges related to credit availability, poor appraisals, dwindling lot supplies, spot shortages of skilled labor and rising materials costs are all weighing on the recovery process.” “Today’s report shows a strong revival in new-home sales across all regions of the country and bodes well for the upcoming spring buying season,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “That said, the razor-thin supply

of new homes for sale is very concerning at a time when we are only about half-way back to what could be considered a ‘normal’ level of activity. Builders need to be able to refresh their inventories to keep the momentum going.” New-home sales posted solid gains across every region in January, including a 27.6 percent increase in the Northeast, an 11.1 percent gain in the Midwest, a 3.2 percent gain in the South and a 45.3 percent gain in the West. The inventory of new homes for sale held unchanged at a meager 150,000 units in January. This amounts to a 4.1-month supply at the current sales pace – the smallest supply since 2005.

Builder Track Report – January 2013

County Allegan Allegan Allegan Allegan Allegan Barry Barry Calhoun Calhoun Cass Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Van Buren Van Buren Van Buren

Jurisdiction Clyde Leighton Leighton Leighton Wayland City Prairieville Yankee Springs Battle Creek Battle Creek Marcellus Township Brady Cooper Cooper Pavilion Portage Portage Portage Portage Portage Prairie Ronde Prairie Ronde Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Texas Vicksburg Vicksburg South Haven City South Haven City South Haven City

Street 122nd St. Homestead Dr. Sunset Meadows Dr. Homestead Dr. Wild Flower Lakeshore Dr. Oakleigh Dr. Woodhaven Dr. Kensington Circle Cranberry Rd. East YZ Ave. Cardinal Hills Trail Nancy Ann Dr. Greenfield Shores Cliffwood Ave. Chaucer Ave. Cliffwood Ave. McGillicuddy Lane Selly Oak Lane South 6th St. Deer Run Rd. Port Hope Dr. Stratford Woods Attleberry Ave. Sierra Madre Trail Terrier Trail Barony Pointe Attleberry Canyon Dr. Odell Farm Lane Odell Farm Lane Meadow Dr. Monroe Blvd. South Haven St.

Type sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. condo sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam. sgl. fam.

Permit Date Value 1/7/2013 226,500.00 1/14/2013 110,000.00 1/4/2013 198,000.00 1/14/2013 114,000.00 1/1/2013 146,700.00 1/11/2013 346,000.00 1/18/2013 259,000.00 1/29/2013 170,450.00 1/17/2013 218,877.00 1/28/2013 1/11/2013 370,000.00 1/3/2013 201,000.00 1/4/2013 1/14/2013 1/24/2013 243,311.00 1/3/2013 243,107.00 1/7/2013 153,611.00 1/16/2013 263,970.00 1/30/2013 455,043.00 1/31/2013 1/16/2013 1/14/2013 301,543.00 1/17/2013 236,989.00 1/14/2013 234,278.00 1/21/2013 350,148.00 1/29/2013 366,161.00 1/29/2013 381,626.00 1/7/2013 263,512.00 1/28/2013 223,143.00 1/22/2013 1/15/2013 1/2/2013 342,947.00 1/4/2013 500,000.00 1/9/2013 274,000.00

Sq Ft 1975 2256 2204 2242 2040 2054 2675

2800 2192

Data supplied by Builder Track Reports. For current, complete information on housing starts, go to www.buildertrackreports.com for samples, subscription information, and more.